As Falls Tahquamenon, So Falls Tahquamenon Falls, Pt. VII

(And now, for the thrilling conclusion. . . )

Tahquamenon Falls - Epilogue

I was sent this picture earlier in the week of Watson, miserably gazing out the window at my Dad's house in Clare, awaiting the return of his family.

Bailey and Watson had a week of hang out time together, and would surely be going through fits of withdrawal in the days to come, once they were separated from one another.  We planned on picking up Watson later that evening, as our check-out time at the campsite was 1pm, and it was a five-hour drive back to Midland.

We woke up and immediately set to work dismantling the campsite.  We've acquired a lot of crap over the years camping with Rita and Smitty, and knew it'd take a long, long time to pack everything back up.

We started a fire to burn all of our cardboard and refuse, which burned continuously for the next six hours or so.

Smitty awoke once we had to tear down his tent.  Poor guy.

It's always fun watching Kris do this. . .

This canopy was a god-send this week, but man was it ever confusing to put up and take down - took four adults, all looking like idiots, to do so.

Kris assists Alayna in brushing her hair, while the latter whines for absolutely no reason whatsoever.  Having a pre-teen is AWESOME.

A couple hours later, the campsite is completely torn down, both vehicles are loaded up and ready to roll.

Depressed that it's the end of our annual camping trip.

We had to swing by the gift shop at the Lower Falls on our way out - Kris and I wanted to pick out a Christmas ornament for our tree, and the ones I had seen at the Upper Falls weren't nearly as good as the ones at this stop.

Abby, checking out the Lower Falls one last time.

A final group picture of the Houghs and Smitties. . .

While we said our goodbyes and began the long drive home, Dad sent met this picture of Watson, who must have sensed our imminent arrival from across the state.

Approaching the Death Bridge from the North. . .

Hopefully I don't have to do this again for a long, long time. . .

Four hours or so later, after we picked up Watson from Clare (and picked the girls up some McDonald's for dinner), we arrived home and began the long, pain-in-the-ass process of unloading the van.  We put a movie on for the girls, and spent the next couple hours putting everything away.  I also gave the dog this, which I had picked up for him at the Lower Falls gift shop.

Happy to be home, and thoroughly enjoying his souvenir.

- Fín - 

- Brian